Mop



Patented June 9, 1936 uNiTso STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

My invention relates to mops and particularly to the type of mop known as a dust mop which comprises a swab holder constructed of a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop and secured to the handle.

An object of the invention resides in providing a mop by means of which the ends of the coil spring may be quickly and easily attached to the handle and detached when the occasion arises.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a support for the swab holder and in further providing means whereby the ends of the coil spring forming the swab holder can be snapped into position upon the support.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing an arm movable laterally with respect to the coil spring and having a catch thereon for engagement with the convolutions of the coil spring.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the support with a tubular 4socket for the reception of the coil spring, said catch and arm serving to retain the end of the coil spring within said socket.

A feature of the invention resides in constructing the arm with a finger piece extending through the support and by means of which the arm may be manipulated to disengage the catch thereon from the coil spring.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the support for the swab holder with a member providing a socket for the reception of theV end of the handle and in further providing a swinging member carried by the handle having a catch thereon for engagement with a shoulder formed on the support to detachably mount the swab holder on the handle.

An object of the invention resides in providing a U-shaped spring having two arms, each provided with a catch for engagement with portions of the coil spring or swab holder support.

An object of the invention resides in arranging the arms to extend into the interior of the coil spring and to engage the convolutions from the interior thereof.

A still further object of the invention resides in arranging the arms so that the catches engage the convoiutions upon the exterior thereof.

A feature of the invention resides in utilizing the said arms for supporting the swab holder instead of employing a separate support for such purpose.

Another object of the invention resides in using the arms for guiding the coil spring in place.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/r described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a dust mop with the swab removed and illustrating an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view of the support for the swab and a portion of the handle and swab holder taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and drawn to a larger scale.

' Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevational sectional View taken on line 5 5 o-f Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a cross sectional View taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of another form of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 of a modification of the invention shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing still another form of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line l i ll of Fig. 10.

In the use of dust mops it becomes highly desirable to be able to quickly and easily assemble the parts whenever desired or to detach the same from one another. The present invention forms a device'in which the swab holder may be snapped into attached position with respect to the support therefor and the support likewise snapped into attached position with respect to the handle of the mop and the said` parts equally as easily detached.

For the' purpose of illustrating the application of the invention, I have shown in Fig. 1 a handle l0 which may be constructed of wood or any other suitable material. The said handle is preferably round and is formed with a tapered end l l to which the swab of the mop proper is attached.

The mop proper consists vof a mop head I2 which includes a mop holding member I3 constructed from spring wire coiled to provide a number of convolutions l5 which form a coil spring. This coil spring is adapted to be bent into a loop as shown in Fig. 1 and is attached to the handle I0 as will be presently described in detail. The swab, not shown in the drawings, is constructed with a hem or similar construction through which the said coil spring is inserted and by means of which the swab is attached to the holder. Inasmuch as the swab does not form any particular feature of the invention, the same has not been shown in the drawings, though it can readily be comprehended that any construction such as now in common use and such as is disclosed in Patent No. 1,849,150 may be used for the purpose. The swab holding member I3 being constructed as a coil spring is flexible and permits of bending of the swab to cause the same to follow the contour of the surface on which it is applied and permits of readily manipulating the mop in crowded corners and in localities where a rigid holder could not be effectively used.

The swab holder further includes a supporting structure referred to by the reference character I4. The supporting structure I4 is constructed in the form of a Y having three branches 20, 39 and 49 and is made of sheet metal consisting of two halves IB and I1. These halves are provided with interlocking marginal parts I8 and I9 by means of which the two halves are secured together. The halves are pressed as shown in Fig. 5 so that the branches 20, 30 and 4D are formed with sockets 2l, 22 and 23. The ends 24 and 25 of the coil spring are received within the two sockets 2I and 22 which are arranged in proper angular relation to cause the swab holding member to assume a loop form, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The socket 23 is conical and is adapted to t over the tapered end II of handle I0 by means of which the mop head is attached to the said handle.

For the purpose of holding the end 24 of the coil spring I3 in socket 2I, a construction is emplayed which is shown in detail in Fig. 4. With- 1n this socket is provided a U-shaped spring 23 constructed with two longitudinally extending arms 21 and 28 connected together at their outer ends through a connecting portion 29. The spring 26 is relatively at and ts within the convolutions I5 of the coil spring I3 and extends within the socket 2l up to a short distance of the juncture of the said socket and the sockets 22 and 23. The arms 21 and 28 are provided with catches 3l and 32 which are formed by striking out portions of the metal of the arms 21 and 28 in such a manner that the same incline toward the inner end of the socket. These catches are adapted to engage the convolutions I5 of the coil spring I3 and when in engagement therewith, function to restrain movement of the coil spring out of the socket. To facilitate the engagement of the said catches with the convolutions of the coil spring, said convolutions are preferably spread as designated at 33 in Fig. 3 to receive said catches. The two arms 31 and 28 are formed with offset portions 34 and 35 which are adapted to extend through openings 36 and 31 in the two halves I6 and I1 of the support I4. These offset portions serve as finger pieces by means of which the two arms may be swung toward each other and by means of which the two catches 3| and 32 may be disengaged from the convolutions I5 of the spring I3. The arms 21 and 28 of the spring 26 are guided for movement within the socket 2I and are anchored therein through two rivets 38 and 39 which pass freely through said arms and which are riveted over the two halves I6 and I1 of the support I4. These rivets are disposed one on each side of the finger pieces 34 and 35 and serve to center the same with respect to the openings 36 and 31.

For the purpose of securing the end 25 of the coil spring to the supporting structure I4, the two halves I6 and I1 are formed with threads 4I upon the interior of the branch 30. These threads are adapted to receive the convolutions I5 of the coil spring I3 permitting the same to be screwed into the socket 22 and so held in position. If desired, the threads 4I may be dispensed with and an attaching device such as shown in conjunction with the end 24 of the coil spring and illustrated in Fig. 3 used instead thereof.

The supporting structure I4 is attached to the handle I0 through a U-shaped spring 42. This spring is formed with two arms 43 and 44 connected together through a connecting portion 45. The two arms 43 and 44 are received in recesses 46 and 41 cut in the tapered portion II of the handle I0. The connecting portion 45 of spring 42 is attached to the end of the mop handle IIJ through a wood screw 48. The two arms 43 and 44 are constructed with projections 49 and 5I which are adapted to extend through openings 52 and 53 in the halves I6 and I1 of the supporting structure I4 forming the branch 40. The projections 49 and 5I are provided with offsets 54 and 55 which engage the ends of the said openings and hold the supporting structure I4 attached to the handle. The portions 49 and 5I serve as finger pieces by means of which the arms 43 and 44 may be manipulated so that the supporting structure I4 may be removed from the handle by disengaging the shoulders 54 and 55 from engagement with the ends of the openings 52 and 53.

In the use of the invention the coil spring I3 is normally straight and is threaded into the threads 4I in socket 22. The swab which is constructed with a hem or pocket for the reception of the coil spring I3 is next threaded over the spring and the other end 24 of the spring inserted into the socket 2l. When the said coil spring enters the socket the U-shaped spring 26 is received within the convolutions of the coil spring. As the two catches 3l and 32 engage the convolutions of the coil spring the spring is compressed and said catches successively slipped by the respective convolutions. When the spring strikes the rivet 38 the two catches 3| and 32 become lodged in the space 33 previously referred to and operate to engage the adjoining convolutions and to hold the end 24 of the spring firmly within the socket 2l. The supporting structure I4 is next applied to the end II of handle I 0. This is accomplished by merely inserting the tapered end II into the socket 23. When the said member is inserted the portions 49 and 5I of the spring 42 engage the walls of the socket 23 and are forced together. After the handle is inserted fully into the said socket, the saine is rotated until the portions 49 and 5I enter the two openings 52 and 53. These portions spring outwardly and the shoulders 54 and 55 engage the openings 52 and 53 and hold the structure locked in position. When it is desired to remove either the end 24 of the coil spring I3 from socket 2l or the mounting structure I4 from the handle it is merely necessary to press together iinger pieces 34 and 35 or the finger pieces 49 and 5I, as the case may be, whereupon the parts are released and can be pulled apart.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a modification of the invention. In this form of the invention the swab holding member is identical with that shown in Fig. 1. The supporting structure here illustrated 'consists of a bar of metal 56 which is bent to form two angularly extending Shanks 51 and 58 connected together through a connecting portion 59. A strap 6I is riveted to the connecting portion 59 of said bar through a rivet 62. This strap extends on opposite sides of the tapered portion I I of handle I0 and is secured thereto through rivets 63. 'Ihe attaching means for the ends of the coil spring I 3 is carried by the Shanks 56 and 51 and the same being identical in construction only that associated with the shank 56 will be described in detail. This attaching structure comprises two leaf springs 64 and 65 which are riveted to` the outer end of the shank 51 by means of a rivet 66. 'Ihe two leaf springs 64 and 65 flare outwardly and engage the inner surfaces of the convolutions I5 ofthe coil spring I3. At such portions of the springs 64 and 65 are formed catches 61 and 68 which are struck out of the metal of the said springs and are similar to the catches 3| and 32 formed on the other form of the invention. These catches are adapted to engage the convolutions of the spring and operate to hold the spring in proper position. Two linger pieces 69 and 1I are formed on the ends of the springs 64 and 65 outwardly beyond the coil spring I3 where the same are accessible and may be squeezed together to release the two catches 61 and 68.

In applying the coil spring to the device the same is merely slipped over the end of the attaching device and as the two catches 61 and 68 engage the convolutions the two springs 64 and 65 are forced together. When the coil spring reaches the finger pieces 69 and 1I further movement of the same is arrested through shoulders 12 and 13 formed in said springs which cause the two catches 61 and 68 to remain lodged between the proper convolutions. In removing the device the two finger pieces 69 and 1I are pressed together which disengages the catches 61 and 68 from the convolutions of the coil spring permitting of withdrawing the coil spring from the supporting structure. l

The construction shown in Fig. 6 may be somewhat simplied as shown in Fig. 7, by constructing the support 14 from spring material to provide two angularly disposed shanks 15 and 16 similar to the shanks 51 and 56 and by bending arms 11 from the ends of the same which extend along the Shanks 15 and 16. These arms are provided with catches 18 and linger pieces 19 similar to that of the other form of the invention. Shoulders 8| between the arms 11 and finger piece 19 serve the same `purpose as the shoulders 12 and 13. In this form of the invention but a single catch is used. In applying the device the procedure is the same as previously described. In disengaging the device it is merely necessary to press the finger piece 19 toward the shank 15 which releases the coil spring.

'In Fig. 8 a form of the invention is shown in which engaging means are employed upon the exterior of the convolutions of the coil spring I3. The swab holding member in this form of invention is identical with that shown in Fig. 1 and the handle identical withthat shown in Fig. 6. The supporting structure comprises a rod 82 which is bent to provide two angularly disposed shanks 83 and 84 and a` connecting portion I 0I. A ferrule |02 is attached to the tapered end I I of handle I0 and is provided with portions |83 which are riveted to the connecting portion IIJI of rod 82. 'Ihese Shanks are reduced in diameter at their ends as indicated at 85. These portions of the Shanks have mounted on them heads 86 which are turned at 88 to t withinthe interior of the spring I3. These heads are constructed with enlarged portions 81 which form shoulders 88 limiting the movement of the said springs along said s' 5 heads. Upon the exterior of the heads 86 are provided two clamping members 9| and 92 which are curved to t about the enlarged portions 81 ci said heads and the ends of the coil springs attached to the device. These clamping members. 10 are constructed with ears 89 which overlie one another and are pivoted to the head 86 through a rivet 93 which passes jointly through the ears of both of said clamping members, through the enlarged portion 81 of head 86 and through the .15 reduced portion of shank 83. The two clamping members 9I and 92 are provided at their ends with arcuate catches 94 and 95 which are adapted to engage the convolutions I 5 of the coil spring I3. The other ends of the clamping memberstzo which are indicated at 96 and 91 serve as ringer pieces by means of which the two clamping members may be forced together to cause the two catches 94 and 95 to move outwardly and become disengaged from the spring I3. To hold said 25 catches in engagement with the convolutions of the coil spring a compression spring 98 is ernployed which passes through a hole 99 in the shank 83 and engages the two linger pieces 96 and 91.

The use of the invention shown in Fig. 8 is similar to that previously explained. The two finger pieces 96 and 91 are first squeezed together causing the catches 94 and 95 to be spread apart. Spring I3 is next applied to the head 86 and 35 moved along said head until the end of the spring engages the shoulder 88. The nger pieces are then released and the catches 94 and 95 are forced into engagement with the convolutions of the spring through the action of the compression spring 98. In removing the swab holder the reverse procedure is adopted.

With my invention the swab holder and swab can be quickly and easily applied to and detached from the support therefor. Similarly, the sup- 45 port can be likewise easily applied to and detached from the handle on which the same is mounted. With my invention it is merely necessary to force the parts together when the same become automatically locked, thereby requiring .50 no particular eiort in securing the parts together.

In releasing the` parts it is merely necessary to press together the two finger pieces controlling the catches, whereupon the parts are readily disengaged. My invention can be constructed at a `55 nominal cost and is positive in action.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder comprising a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop,-` a support attached to the handle, said support being formed with a socket for the reception of one end of the coil spring, a catch carried by the support and movable into and out of engagement with the convolutions of said coil spring, means'o for holding said catch in engagement with said spring, said catch serving to hold the end of the coil spring within said socket, and means carried by the support for supporting the other end oi said coil spring.

Vtwo arms extending catches formed on said arms for engagement 2. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder comprising a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop, a support attached to the handle, said support being formed with a socket for the reception of one end of the coil spring, a movable arm mounted on said support and extending into said coil spring, said arm having a catch movable into and out of engagement with the convolutions of the coil spring, means for holding said,

catch in engagement with said spring and means carried by the support for supporting the other end of said coil spring.

3. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder comprising a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop, a support attached to the handle, said support being formed with a socket for the reception of one end of the coil spring, a movable arm mounted on said support and extending into said coil spring, said arm having a catch movable into and out of engagement with the convolutions of the coil spring, a linger piece formed on said arm for moving the same to disengage said catch from engagement with the convolutions of said coil spring, means for holding said catch in engagement with said spring and means carried by the support for supporting the other end of said coil spring.

4. In a mop, a, handle, a swab holder comprising a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop, a support attached to the handle, said support being formed with a socket for the reception of one end of the coil spring, a U-shaped spring disposed within said socket and extending into said coil spring, said spring being formed with in the same direction,

with the convolutions of the coil spring, means for anchoring said spring to said support and means carried by the support for supporting the other end of the coil spring.

5. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder comprising a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop, a support attached to the handle, said support being formed with a socket for the reception of one end of the coil spring, a U-shaped spring disposed within said socket and extending into said coil spring, said spring being formed with two arms extending in the same direction, catches formed on said arms for engagement with the convolutions of the coil spring, a pin extending through said support and slidably through the ends of said arms for anchoring said U-shaped spring within the socket, and means carried by the support for supporting the other end of said coil spring.

6. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder comprising a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop, a support attached to the handle, said support being formed with a socket for the reception of one end of the coil spring, a U-shaped spring disposed within said socket and extending into said coil spring, said spring being formed with two arms extending in the same direction, catches formed on said arms for engagement with the convolutions of the coil spring, a pin extending through said support and slidably through the ends of said arms for anchoring. said U-shaped spring within the socket, said support having openings therein and finger pieces on said arms and extending through said openings by means of which the arms may be brought together to simultaneously disengage said catches from the convolutions of the spring, and means carried by the support for supporting the other end of the coil spring.

"1. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder comprising a coil spring arranged in the fonn of a loop, a support attached to said handle, said support comprising a U-shaped spring adapted to enter into one end of said coil spring, said U-shaped spring being formed with two arms, means for securing one of said arms to the handle, a catch on the other of said arms for engagement with the convolutions of the coil spring, said last named arm having portions extending outwardly beyond the coil spring and serving as a finger piece for disengaging said catch from the convolutions of the coil spring, and means carried by the support for supporting the other end of the coil spring.

8. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder comprising a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop, a support secured lto said handle and adapted to extend into one end of said coil spring, a pair of leaf springs secured to said support on either side thereof, and normally ilexed away from one another, catches formed on said leaf springs for engagement with the convolutions of the coil spring, said leaf springs extending outwardly beyond the ends of the coil spring and providing finger pieces whereby said leaf springs may be moved toward said support to disengage the same from said coil spring, and means carried by the support for supporting the other end of the coil spring.

9. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder comprising a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop, a support attached to the handle, said support having an elongated part adapted to receive one end of the coil spring and to guide it for longitudinal movement therealong, a catch movable intoand out of engagement with the convolutions of said coil spring, means carried by said support and supporting the catch, said means yieldingly holding the catch into engagement with the coil spring, means for moving the catch out of engagement therewith, and means carried by the support for supporting the other end of the coil spring.

10. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder comprising a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop, a support attached to said handle, said support being formed with a socket for the reception of one end of the coil spring, a movable arm disposed within said socket and extending into said coil spring, said arm having a catch movable into and out of engagement with the convolutions of the coil spring, means for holding said catch in engagement with said coil spring, said support having a hole therethrough communicating with said socket, a linger piece on said arm, said nger piece extending through said hole and being engageable from without said support to disengage the catch from the coil spring and means carried by the support for supporting the other end of the coil spring.

11. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder comprising a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop, a support attached to said handle, said support being formed with a socket for the reception of one end of the coil spring, a movable arm disposed within said socket and extending into said coil spring, said arm being constructed of spring material and engaging said support, said arm having a catch movable into and out of engagement with the convolutions of the coil spring, said arm serving through the resiliency thereof to hold the catch in engagement with the convolutions of said coil spring, said support having a hole therethrough communicating with said socket, said arm having an offset portion adapted to extend through said hole and serving as a finger piece for moving the catch out of engagement with theconvo-lutions of said coil spring and means carried by the support for supporting the other end of the coil spring.

12. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder comprising a coil spring arranged ih the form of a loop, a support attached to the handle, said support being constructed with a shank adapted to be received Within the convolutions of the coil spring, a movable arm attached to said shank at the formeans for urging said catch into engagement 5 with the convolutions of the coil spring, and a portion of said arm extending outwardly beyond the end of the coil spring and serving as a linger piece for manipulating said arm and means carried by the support for supporting the other end 10 of the coil spring.

CLARENCE J. OSTDIEK. 

